5 Common Effects of Hail to Your Shingles

Hail season has come early which means everyone is talking about damage; Was there damage? Is it covered? Repair or replace the roof? It can be confusing as hail for homeowners who have never experienced a storm before. We are listing the 5 most common types of damage to your shingles so you can better understand what all the fuss it about.

What are the most common types of damage?

Granule loss at points of impact, which may be accompanied by surface depression. Loss of mineral granules as an immediate or gradual consequence of storm damage can lead to the asphalt coating being directly exposed to the elements. This may lead to accelerated aging of the shingle. Therefore, granule loss is NOT just cosmetic damage, and “sugaring” — the process of adding loose granules to damaged shingles with asphalt cement — is not a permanent solution.

Cracks in the granule-asphalt surfacing, which may radiate outward from points of impact. Cracks may be present especially if high winds blew the shingles back.

Exposed fiberglass mat, where hail shattered the granule-asphalt surfacing causing it to break away from the fiberglass mat.

Fractured fiberglass mat, which may or may not be immediately visible. A fractured mat may result in tears radiating out from the points of impact. Furthermore, hidden damage to the mat may later develop into cracks and tears in time as the shingles age.

Loosening of the self-seal strip. This damage may or may not be immediately visible and may weaken the seal integrity, creating the possibility of future shingle blow-off.

Is damage immediately noticeable? Not always. Hailstones vary in size, shape, and hardness and can create a random pattern of dents or depressions. If this is not evident, look for indentations on metal flashings, siding, chimney caps, or even skylight flashings as hail impacts may cause latent damage that only appears over time. Latent damage caused by hail may cause the shingles to age prematurely, which is why it is so detrimental.

Can several individual shingles be replaced or should the entire roof be replaced? While it is possible to replace individual storm-damaged shingles, latent damage to the surrounding shingles caused by a storm can be difficult to assess. Due to the potential for the surrounding shingles to also have experienced storm damage, complete roof replacement is sometimes recommended for the long-term performance of these roofs. Due to the difficulty in identifying hail damage and the risk involved if not properly identified an repaired, we always recommend having a professional inspect your roof after a storm. Contact us today and we will inspect free of charge!